Police: Human remains found inside suitcase in Southwest Philly

Badly decomposed body was found in fetal position with bag over head

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A body was found stuffed into a suitcase Tuesday, and authorities have almost no information on how it happened.

The Philadelphia Police Department said a passerby found the suitcase on the street near the intersection of Ruby Terrace and Gibson Drive.

Housing authority officers noticed a foul smell coming from a suitcase near the trash bin in the 2700 block of Ruby Terrace, so they called police to investigate.

"The body appears to be that of a female, appears to be black. It is badly decomposed, laying in the fetal position inside of the suitcase. It appears to have a bag over the head of the person," said Police Lt. John Walker.

Police have very little information on the murder.

"We're not quite sure how long the person has been dead," he added.

The victim was taken to the medical examiner to determine identity and a cause of death.